Riding pro cycling’s roads of glory is something special, and can only be truly appreciated upon reflection of having turned your own pedals over the same tracks as our sports’ greatest heros. And as Nick O’Brien recounts a day on the slopes of the Poggio, it’s even sweeter when battling your own worthy adversary…

Roadside St.21: I comment every year how taxing it is - physically & mentally - chasing this race and doing daily roadside coverage like we do – and for good reason – the truth is that sometimes this job ain’t quite as glamourous as it might seem. As much fun as it is – and it is – it can be tough.

We last saw our hero Nick on the lower slopes of the Poggio as he rode the final capi of Milan-San Remo. But as Nick blubbers and gasps his way over the climb, a worthy adversary awaits to pounce, and the plunge to San Remo becomes a duel to the death! (of egos at least...) Fasten your seatbelts and read on...

PEZ's Nick O’Brien was live and in-color at the 96th la Primavera in 2005. Now over 100 years old, the race has changed with modern times, but as Nick discovered while riding the final “capi” that make it famous, the corsa is as tough and exciting as ever. Here's a worthy look back as we prep for this weekend's Primavera...